The Romans
By : Vivian Wu , NJCL Historian
April 21
The Romans lived a life very much dependent on their economic status . The city ’ s wealthiest families had the means to have slave labor , giving them a great advantage above a plebeian family . Starting with the home , the average Roman citizen lived in an apartment building or an insulae . However , these apartments were not the same as the modern ones most of us are used to ; they were dangerous and dilapidated and this would not change until the Great Fire of Rome . The wealthy , on the other hand , lived in either villas outside the city or a domus in the city . These domus in Rome were typically located on the Palatine Hill . Inside the home , the wife was in charge , directing the daily activities of the household . Outside the home , at least at first , women weren ’ t even allowed to appear in public without a man , by the end of the Republic , women were eating dinner with their husbands , going to baths and even attending theater and games ( although at different times than the men ).
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